U.S. Visa Medical Exam in Manila
Tips for a Smoother Visa Medical at St. Luke’s in Manila
Preparing before your appointment can make the required St. Luke’s medical examination easier and help you avoid preventable delays. Use this updated checklist for K-1 fiancé visa, CR-1 or IR-1 spouse visa, and other U.S. immigrant visa medical examinations in the Philippines.
Important 2026 Update
Follow your scheduled appointment time
St. Luke’s now uses scheduled appointments and strictly controls entry. Applicants are generally permitted to enter only 15 to 30 minutes before the appointment time. Older advice about choosing a quieter weekday, arriving before dawn, or lining up overnight should not replace the appointment instructions shown in your confirmation email.
VisaCoach Video
Practical Tips for the St. Luke’s Visa Medical
This older VisaCoach video contains useful preparation ideas, but some document, fee, scheduling, and clinic details have changed. Use the updated written guidance on this page and the current official St. Luke’s instructions.
View Full Video Transcript
VisaCoach.com — Your Personal Immigration Guide
Hi, Fred Wahl speaking. Today’s topic is: What are some tips to have a better experience during your fiancé visa medical at St. Luke’s in Manila?
All fiancé, spouse, and regular immigration applicants from the Philippines undergo a medical conducted by St. Luke’s Medical Clinic, about a block away from the U.S. Embassy. In another video, I provided details on this two-day process.
Today, let’s just talk about what to bring to the exam and some ways to help make the medical go smoother.
Remember to bring all needed documents. Each applicant should bring the following:
- Original and photocopy of the passport information page.
- Three recent 2-by-2 visa photos. Ears must be visible, and no earrings.
- Visa interview appointment email or letter, plus two photocopies. If the appointment has not been scheduled, instead bring the NVC letter with the MNL case number.
- St. Luke’s online registration form and one copy.
- Vaccination records.
- Cash to pay fees.
- Annulled or divorced applicants should bring proof of marriage termination.
General recommendations:
Most important: come on the right day. Monday and Tuesday the clinic is overwhelmed. Arrive on Wednesday or Thursday.
It is a two-day process, so do not start on Friday unless you want to spend the weekend in Manila waiting for Monday.
- Eat a hearty breakfast. It will be a long day, and the clinic does not allow food inside.
- Bring drinking water in a clear container.
- Bring a black-ink ballpoint pen for filling in forms.
- Bring an envelope or portfolio to keep your documents safe and clean.
- Do not wear metal jewelry. You cannot wear it for X-rays, and it is not safe.
Recommendations for female applicants:
- Do not schedule the exam during your menstrual period. Wait one week after the period is over.
- Remember the date of the first day of your last period. You will be asked this.
- Wear loose clothing that can easily be removed. Upper garments will need to be removed at one point.
- There is little privacy, so it may be better to avoid wearing a full dress.
- Bring something to tie back long hair.
It will be a long and tedious day, but it will move you much closer to your reunion with your fiancé in the United States.
This is Fred Wahl, your personal immigration guide.
Editor’s note: This transcript reflects the original recording. Current appointment, document, payment, photo, health, and scheduling requirements may differ. Follow the current St. Luke’s instructions presented elsewhere on this page.
Current Document Checklist
What K-visa and immigrant visa applicants should bring
St. Luke’s currently lists the following documents for regular immigrant and K-visa applicants. Review the official checklist immediately before your appointment because requirements can change.
- St. Luke’s medical examination appointment confirmation email, printed or available digitally.
- Proof of payment, printed or available digitally, when payment was made through the online portal.
- Valid passport, plus one photocopy of the biographic data page on short bond paper without reducing or enlarging the image.
- Original vaccination records and one photocopy. Records should include the doctor’s or health worker’s full name, signature, and license number.
- One photocopy of the visa interview appointment letter.
- One photocopy of the letter showing the case number or K1FTP letter for a K visa.
- One photocopy of the DS-260 confirmation page for a regular immigrant visa applicant.
- Old chest X-ray films, when available and properly identified.
Bring medical history documents when applicable
Bring original records and a photocopy for any significant illness, surgery, hospitalization, current treatment, or long-term medication. Helpful medical certificates should identify the diagnosis, medications and dosage, treatment dates, procedures, outcome, and continuing treatment plan.
Before Your Appointment
Prepare the details that commonly cause delays
Confirm every name and number
Check that the name, date of birth, passport number, case number, and visa category in the appointment record match the applicant’s documents. Correct discrepancies before the appointment when possible.
Organize vaccination records
Bring original vaccination documents with complete dates and proper provider identification. St. Luke’s states that self-reported vaccines are not accepted as proof.
Plan enough time before the interview
Do not leave the medical examination until the last possible moment. Additional tuberculosis testing, a specialist referral, an incomplete vaccination record, or another medical issue can extend the process.
Use only official scheduling and payment channels
Schedule through the official St. Luke’s website. Pay through its official online portal or at the clinic cashier. Avoid unofficial agents, chat-group offers, and social-media payment requests.
Appointment-Day Tips
Make the clinic visit easier
- Eat before arriving. Fasting is not required for the initial blood and urine testing, but food is not allowed inside the clinic.
- Arrive according to the appointment confirmation. Entry is generally allowed only 15 to 30 minutes before the scheduled time.
- Keep documents in a labeled envelope or folder arranged in checklist order.
- Wear comfortable, simple clothing suitable for a physical examination and chest X-ray.
- Avoid unnecessary metal jewelry and accessories that may need to be removed for radiology procedures.
- Bring only necessary belongings and follow the clinic’s current rules for food, drinks, phones, companions, and security screening.
- Answer medical-history questions completely and truthfully, including questions about medications, prior treatment, tuberculosis exposure, pregnancy, mental-health treatment, and substance use.
- Follow all instructions for vaccinations, repeat testing, sputum collection, or outside specialist referrals without delay.
Special Situations
Pregnancy, minors, and companions
Pregnant applicants
St. Luke’s states that applicants age 15 and older are required to have a chest X-ray. A pregnant applicant may choose to defer the medical examination, including the chest X-ray, until after delivery; however, the medical report will not be released while the examination remains incomplete. Contact St. Luke’s for case-specific instructions.
Applicants age 17 or younger
A minor must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who knows the child’s medical history. When another adult accompanies the minor, St. Luke’s requires additional authorization and identification documents.
Who may have a companion
Current St. Luke’s guidance generally permits companions only for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant applicants, and minor applicants.
Additional testing
Not every applicant finishes on the same schedule. An abnormal X-ray, tuberculosis screening result, incomplete medical history, vaccination requirement, psychiatric evaluation, or specialist referral can require additional visits and separate charges.
Current Medical Fees
St. Luke’s U.S. visa examination fees
Applicants age 15 and older
PHP 29,995
The updated fee took effect July 10, 2026 and includes required vaccines.
Applicants under age 15
PHP 13,910
The standard fee includes required vaccines.
Psychiatric evaluations, outside specialist referrals, and other additional procedures may be charged separately. St. Luke’s currently lists online payment, cash, and credit card at the clinic cashier as payment options. Confirm the fee before paying.
Clinic Information
St. Luke’s Extension Clinic in Ermita, Manila
Address
1177 Jorge Bocobo Street
Ermita, Manila 1000
Philippines
Clinic schedule
Monday through Friday
7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed on Philippine holidays
Contact
Trunk line: (+63 2) 8521-0020
U.S. applicant follow-up line: (+63 2) 8524-0478
Email: inquiry@slec.ph
Correct branch for U.S. applicants
U.S. visa medical examinations are performed at the Ermita branch. Do not assume the St. Luke’s Global City location can complete a U.S. visa medical.
Frequently Asked Questions
St. Luke’s Visa Medical Questions
Should I arrive several hours before my St. Luke’s appointment?
No. St. Luke’s states that appointment times are strictly implemented and applicants are generally admitted only 15 to 30 minutes before the scheduled time.
Do I need to fast before the U.S. visa medical examination?
No. St. Luke’s says fasting is not required for the initial blood and urine tests. Applicants should eat before arriving because food is not allowed inside the facility.
Are vaccines included in the St. Luke’s medical fee?
Yes. St. Luke’s states that the standard medical examination fee includes the required age-appropriate vaccines. Additional evaluations or outside referrals may be charged separately.
Can a K-1 applicant schedule a first medical examination online?
Yes. St. Luke’s states that K-visa applicants and applicants completing an initial medical examination may register online to secure an appointment.
Can a family use one appointment confirmation?
No. Each applicant must complete a separate registration and have an individual medical examination appointment confirmation.
Will every medical examination be completed in two days?
No. The normal workflow may include a second day, but additional testing, tuberculosis evaluation, vaccination needs, pregnancy-related decisions, or specialist referrals can extend the process.
More Immigration Help
Prepare for the Medical Exam and Visa Interview
Continue with these VisaCoach guides for the medical examination, interview, and next stages of a fiancé or spouse visa case.
St. Luke’s Medical Procedures
Review the current examination workflow, testing, vaccinations, fees, and follow-up process.
When to Schedule a K-1 Medical
Understand when the medical examination should fit into the fiancé visa interview timeline.
K-1 Fiancé Visa Interview Questions
Prepare for common questions and organize the evidence needed for the U.S. Embassy interview.
Spouse Visa Medical Examination
Review medical-exam preparation for CR-1 and IR-1 spouse visa applicants.
Spouse Visa Interview Questions
Learn how to prepare for the CR-1 or IR-1 interview after completing the medical examination.
VisaCoach Immigration Resources
Browse more practical guides for fiancé visas, spouse visas, green cards, interviews, and U.S. immigration preparation.
Official Sources
Confirm the requirements before attending
Medical examination procedures, appointment rules, fees, vaccines, and document requirements can change. The official St. Luke’s and U.S. government instructions control.
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